Morning Rundown: Notable player predictions on MLB.com, notable Pirates projections
MLB.com has Wyatt Langford as top rookie, Pirates projections on FanGraphs
Slow weekend with not much going on, so here is a recap on some stuff that’s going on around the league.
MLB.com looked at some of the most interesting projections based on FanGraphs, and one named stood out.
The rookie that is projected to have the highest wRC+ next year? Wyatt Langford, with a 121. He is also projected to hit 16 home runs and steal 10 bases. The former Florida Gator was the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft by the Texas Rangers.
Looking at some of the same projections for the Pirates, and a few things stuck out.
- Oneil Cruz is projected to have the highest WAR among position players at 2.9, backed behind 23 home runs and 19 stolen bases.
-Henry Davis finishes with a slightly above-average wRC+ of 103.
-According to their projections, Paul Skenes has a 4.80 ERA across 11 starts to go along with a 0.5 WAR.
-Jared Jones makes a couple more starts (15) but has the same ERA as Skenes, 4.80 across 83 innings pitched.
-Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales combine to make 50 starts, both with ERA in the upper fours.
I'm not saying that I’m completely down on the Skenes, but this projection does lead to a mailbag question I answered later today.
Every Monday during the offseason, we will be doing a mailbag article. Please send in your questions to have them answered! Either comment below with ‘mailbag’ entered in the message or email us at bucsondeckqa@gmail.com.
I look forward to answering what you guys have!
sources say Stumpf going to join us here in the comment section
The Pirates of 2024 are set to move forward. The Draft Picks, especially the pitching, are processing through at a nice pace and the Rotations at Altoona and Indy should be very good. I do not think it necessary to plan to have Paul Skenes at the MLB level this year - big difference in competition from college to professional!
Our Starting Pitching will be an adventure, and the Pirates are still a year away from settling the lineup. That said, the Pirates very well could have the entire 2025 Rotation at the MLB level after 2024 trade deadline. They could also have our future starting CF onboard. Lighting candles!